Hi homunculus,
It seems from your description that it would be better to load head forward as nearly all HEMS machines do. That would include the A119 and A109 that we operate/d.
In general terms, helicopters hover nose up, therefore best to have head at front.
Most accelerate nose down, but flow neutralised by accel. Most decelerate nose up, again flow neutralised by accel.
Most cruise floor level, so neutral flow.
Agree 100% with you reasoning behind helicopters being a transport platform of choice.
Would love a link to your paper please.